The �680,000 scheme will take at least two years to complete

The scheme to transform Machynlleth's Royal House can proceed after the Heritage Lottery Fund announced it would provide almost half the �681,000 costs.

Now the lead organisation in the scheme, the Tabernacle Trust is to buy the building from a local solicitor and start the work with archaeological investigation and structural surveys.

It will take at least two years to turn the house into a tourist information and business centre.

This will be a huge boost for the town and I am delighted for all the people who worked so hard to get this scheme going Michael Williams, councillor

Once finished, the building will house the a tourist information centre, an exhibition area for Machynlleth's Civic Society and two holiday flats which will help pay for ongoing costs.

Last month, Powys Council agreed to provide an extra �60,000 to cover rising project costs.

Huge benefits

The authority will now provide �210,000 towards the renovation with the rest of the money being provided by the Welsh Development Agency, the historic monuments body Cadw, Machynlleth Town Council and local fundraisers.

"The lottery grant will enable the Royal House project to proceed under the management of a joint project team representing the trust and the county council," said Richard Lambert, the Tabernacle Trust's treasurer.

Jennifer Stewart, the Heritage Lottery Fund Manager for Wales said the �339,500 grant had been given because it would benefit Machynlleth.

"Royal House has played a significant role in the area for many centuries," she said.

Michael Williams believes the scheme will give the town a boost

"The proposed works to the property will mean that not only can it continue to bring in huge benefits to the local community but it will also help the local tourism industry and safeguard an important Welsh heritage asset."

The earliest documentary evidence for Royal House is from 1581, although tradition states that Dafydd Gam was imprisoned in the building between 1404 and 1412 for trying to assassinate Owain Glyndwr.

Machynlleth county councillor, Michael Williams was delighted that funding had finally come into place after a long-running campaign.

"Royal House is only one of four buildings from the 14th century left in Machynlleth," he said.

"This will be a huge boost for the town and I am delighted for all the people who worked so hard to get this scheme going."

The name of the building probably refers to the tradition that Charles 1 stayed in the Royalist town during the English Civil War in 1643.